5 ways to keep your cool when unexpected guests drop in

Eeeek, who’s that pulling up in your driveway on a busy Saturday afternoon? When friends spring a surprise visit on you, it can be daunting and send you into a mild panic …

So to alleviate the stress when friends dropping in unannounced, we’ve got a few ideas to help you come across as a hostess who’s always prepared for guests, even when they’re totally unexpected.

1. Buy yourself time

If your partner is home, ask him to answer the door and hold the fort while you quickly disappear for a five-minute makeover. Kick off your slippers, brush your hair and teeth, slick on some lip gloss, and throw on some jeans before emerging to greet your guests. You’ll feel far less self-conscious than if you were caught out in your gardening trackies!

2. Do a quick bathroom check

On the way out of the bathroom after your five-minute makeover, quickly wipe over the hand basin and toilet. Tip: keep a packet of instant cleaning wipes in the bathroom drawer so you can freshen up the porcelain in a flash. Spritz the room with air freshener and you’re done.

3. Have stand-by snacks on hand

Of course, your guests won’t be expecting a gourmet meal, but it’s nice to offer more than a glass of water or cup of tea if you can manage it. Jars of salsa and corn chips keep in the cupboard for months, as do packets of nuts. If you’re a regular baker, freeze batches of slice or cupcakes that you can whip out for such occasions. Bite-sized treats defrost quickly and will give you instant hostess cred.

4. Casually excuse the mess

Nobody expects to see your house in perfect order when they drop by out of the blue. However, if you’re the kind of person who gets slightly embarrassed about clutter, casually offer an excuse like, “Sorry about the mess – we’re just about to start a spring clean” … or blame the kids! If you get a chance before you answer the door, quickly shut the bedroom doors to hide unmade beds and any clothes strewn around the floor.

5. Relax and enjoy the company!

Even though you may feel a bit frazzled when friends turn up on your doorstep, remember they’ve come to see you and enjoy your company, not scrutinise your house-keeping efforts! Relish the chance to have a chat and a cuppa on the couch together, and don’t sweat the small stuff – true friends won’t judge you if the washing-up isn’t done, and they certainly won’t expect you to serve a freshly baked chocolate cake! At the end of the day, what matters is taking time to have a break and appreciate your friends coming to visit.

Now that you’re prepared for surprise guests, you can also keep your cool when you’ve got your period thanks to CAREFREE FLEXIA tampons – with their SOFTFOLDS flexible wings, you get superior protection against leakage. Phew!